When Will Flights Resume After Philippine Volcano Eruption? Domestic Airlines Face Cancellations and Delays...

Volcanic ash is being emitted as a volcano erupted on the 12th on an island about 65 km away from Manila, the capital of the Philippines. (Manila Reuters = Yonhap News)

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Ji-hee] Domestic airlines operating flights between Manila, Guam, and other locations experienced numerous delays and cancellations due to the eruption of the Taal volcano in the Philippines.

According to the aviation industry on the 13th, Korean Air canceled all six flights between Incheon and Manila, including KE621, KE623, and KE649. The day before, Korean Air had delayed and then canceled two flights, including KE623 departing Incheon for Manila at 6:45 PM, as well as two return flights from Manila to Incheon.

A Korean Air official stated, "The operation status of subsequent flights is still undecided," adding, "The relevant department is continuously monitoring the weather conditions to decide on flight operations."

Asiana Airlines also canceled a total of six flights one-way, including one round-trip flight from Incheon to Manila the previous day and two round-trip flights on the day. A flight scheduled to depart for Clark Airport the day before was delayed by 20 hours and is expected to depart today.

The volcanic eruption also disrupted flights to Guam and Saipan airports along the Manila route until the morning of the day.

Jeju Air, which canceled all nighttime flights the previous day, delayed the Incheon to Manila flight scheduled for 6 PM by 15 hours on the day. A Jeju Air official said, "Although the closure of the local airport was lifted from the afternoon, volcanic ash has not been completely cleared," adding, "Flight delays remain fluid depending on the local situation." All flights scheduled to Guam and Saipan airports in the morning were canceled, but normal operations are expected from the night.

Jin Air replaced the Boeing 737-800 aircraft with 189 seats on the Incheon-Guam route with a Boeing 777-200ER aircraft with 393 seats, operating as a single flight. The Guam route, still affected by volcanic ash, was rerouted, while the Clark route has been operating normally since the previous night.

Meanwhile, at around 11 AM local time on the 12th, a volcano erupted approximately 65 km from Manila, the capital of the Philippines, prompting the evacuation of about 6,000 residents and tourists.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.